Kilkenny starlet will be fit for Dubs duel

Conor McKeon
– 06 June 2012 02:00 PM

CILLIAN BUCKLEY is confident that his hamstring injury "won't be a concern" prior to Kilkenny's Leinster SHC semi-final clash with Dublin on June 23 in Portlaoise as his commitment to the Cat's under-21s could see the Dicksboro man line out in two Championship matches just three days apart.

Buckley - Kilkenny's breakthrough player in the league after injury blows to regular midfielders Michael Fennelly and Michael Rice - is certain to start for the county's U21s on Wednesday, June 20 when they take on the winner of tonight's quarter-final clash between Wexford and Offaly and with the aforementioned duo expected to miss the Leinster SHC semi-final (v Dublin), could be called upon to play again just three days later.

"That's the way it's fixed at the moment. The senior game is the 23rd and we're (under-21s) down to play on the 20th against the winners of Wexford and Offaly so that's the plan at the moment," he explained.

Buckley was considered a doubt for both matches after he picked up an injury to his hamstring in club action two weekends ago but he insists he should be fully recovered in time.

"The injury won't be a concern," he declared.

KERRY boss Jack O'Connor has recalled four long-serving campaigners for the latest renewal of their rivalry with Cork - while conceding that Bryan Sheehan won't be fit for the Páirc Uí Chaoimh showdown.

Back into the starting line-up for Sunday's Munster SFC semi-final come Marc Ó Sé and Aidan O'Mahony in the full-back line, Seamus Scanlon at midfield and Kieran Donaghy at full-forward.